Ireland's presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of October was always going to be a challenge for Brian Cowen but recent events have made it potentially the most difficult task he has faced in his political career.
Ireland was heavily involved in the final stages of negotiations which led to the unanimous passage of a Security Council resolution giving member states a mandate to take a range of measures to deal with terrorism. Mr Cowen has stressed the political, diplomatic and economic aspects of what he called a "multifaceted" approach to the problem.
Any US military actions would be kept under scrutiny. "The Security Council as a whole will watch, will monitor, will assess - should that option be exercised - during our presidency and our tenure as a member of the Security Council."
Any possible military moves would have to be "proportionate and targeted" in order to remain within the framework of international law. "That is our concern as a member of the United Nations and the Security Council."
However he was confident, following his meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington last week, that the US accepted the military approach was not the only one. "This is not something that can be resolved by a military option being exercised tomorrow and it being solved the day after. They know that the causes of it, how it operates, how it is sustained and developed, is a complex and sophisticated operation."
He also believed Powell was fully aware of the developing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and the need to ensure the suffering of the ordinary people was not exacerbated by the US.
"He made it very clear that the American government has no row or animus against the people of Afghanistan." Last year, the US had been the largest suppliers of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan to the tune of $100 million and Powell confirmed the US was exploring what further aid could be supplied.
The humanitarian crisis will be one of the items for discussion when Cowen meets UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan today.
"We will be talking about the aftermath of September 11th, discussing the Middle East, the general Security Council programme for the course of the month, and his advice and assessment of the issues that will emerge."
Cowen was unapologetic about the Government's decision to offer overflight and landing facilities to the US in the current crisis: "We have obligations and responsibilities as a member of the international community and to take on those responsibilities does not involve cowering before the threat of terrorism."
He continued: "Solidarity doesn't mean engaging in rhetorical flourishes."
The Government had acted in compliance with the Security Council's Resolution 1368, which condemned the atrocities and called for international co-operation against terrorism.
One of the problems in dealing with terrorism is arriving at an agreed definition.
I put it to the Minister that participants in the War of Independence such as Michael Collins, Eamon de Valera and the young Seβn Lemass would have been categorised by some as terrorists.
"None of those people you speak of sought to pursue political objectives on the basis of indiscriminately killing civilians without fear or favour. It is important to point out that you cannot equate independence movements which sought to establish principles of self-determination under a colonial regime, an empire regime, in the past with the support of the people - you cannot equate any of that with what we are seeing now, which is about basically engaging in violence for the sake of violence. I mean there is no cause advanced by taking down the twin towers of the World Trade Centre. No rational person would engage in that activity on the basis of advancing a legitimate political agenda."
Would Ireland's Council presidency be neutral or pro-active? "The presidency is there to conduct the business, to ensure that the meetings are held in a structured and procedurally proper way."
Whatever the issues, Ireland would "work in a transparent, upfront and open manner with all our Council colleagues in advancing the agenda of the United Nations, consistent with its charter and its resolutions".
The Irish presidency would be pro-active on everything from terrorism to the Congo and Burundi: "We are not neutral on any issue. We have a position on every issue and we will be trying to advance persuasively our position in a way that will garner a consensus that makes a difference for the people who are the subject of these conflict situations."
Although it is not listed on any formal agenda, it is difficult to imagine the Irish presidency going by without some involvement in the Middle East situation. Cowen, who visited that region three weeks ago, believed valuable lessons from the Northern Ireland experience could be applied.
"We, as members of the European Union and as friends of the United States as well, and as longstanding supporters of the Palestinian cause in a way which is not inimical to Israel's continued peaceful existence and security, would make the point that our direct experience of peace-building suggests that dialogue, continued engagement and a preparedness to recognise that political progress must be a dynamic in any peace process is the only way in which this thing is going to be solved."
He was prepared to use the presidency to advance the Middle East process if an appropriate opportunity arose.
"As long as I am foreign minister of Ireland, I will continue my contacts with Israelis and Palestinians in trying to help."